Headrest control apparatus for vehicle and method of controlling headrest control apparatus for vehicle

Abstract

A headrest control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a headrest rear portion; a headrest front portion movable relative to the headrest rear portion between a first position and a second position; driving means for moving the headrest front portion relative to the headrest rear portion and controlling means controlling the driving means to move the headrest front portion towards the second position when a proximity of an object from a rear of the vehicle is detected and stop a movement of the headrest front portion towards the second position when the head detecting circuit detects the one of a proximity of the head towards, and a contact of the head with, the headrest front portion. The controlling means operates the head detecting circuit when the headrest front portion moves towards the second position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application 2006-021447, filed on Jan. 30, 2006, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a headrest control apparatus mounted on a seat for a vehicle such as an automobile and a method of controlling the same.BACKGROUND[0003]In case of a vehicle rear impact in a situation where an upper half of the body of an occupant has not been supported by a seatback, a sudden movement of the upper body to the seatback triggers a head of the occupant to be unexpectedly moved to a headrest. Here, a difference is created between a movement amount of the upper body and the one of the head. More specifically, the head of the occupant is moved to in a rearward direction of a vehicle farther than the upper body. Subsequently, the upper body is swung widely toward the front in response ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a headrest control apparatus for a vehicle that includes a headrest rear portion and a headrest front portion. The headrest front portion can move relative to the headrest rear portion between a first position and a second position. The apparatus includes a head detecting sensor that outputs a detection signal when the head of an occupant is proximate to or in contact with the headrest front portion. A head detecting circuit detects the proximity or contact of the head with the headrest front portion based on the detection signal. The controlling means controls the driving means to move the headrest front portion towards the second position when a proximity of an object from the rear of the vehicle is detected and stops the movement of the headrest front portion when the head detecting circuit detects the proximity or contact of the head with the headrest front portion. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a more efficient and effective headrest control system for vehicles that can detect the proximity or contact of the head with the headrest front portion and move the headrest front portion accordingly to ensure safety and comfort for the occupant.

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, switching noise of a clock signal is created and noise may be released from a radio mounted on a vehicle.

That is, there is a possibility that this sensor electrode serves as an antenna and radio noise is released.

Further, where a sensor, which is different from a capacitive sensor, is employed as a proximity sensor, when an ultrasonic sensor is employed for example, an occupant may recognize supersonic waves, which are emitted from the ultrasonic sensor, as noise.

However, in such circumstances, because alternating voltage with a predetermined frequency is applied to the piezoelectric element, noise may be generated based upon this alternating voltage.

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